Critical Hit: Searing Strike (Synth Spear). Alex Till lands Killing Blow on Olivia Mendez (Level 30).
110 experience gained.
Bonus: 250 experience for killing an Adventurer on the Leaderboard
Loot Received:
1,237 C-Grade Credits
138 B-Grade Credits
Corvus 17
Nexus Cube
"Till?"
"Oh, you're still here?"
"The System locks down my ability to communicate while you're in combat."
"Makes sense. I thought you'd left me."
"Till? Why would I-"
"Why wouldn't you? You saw what I did."
"What you…? Till you killed an Adventurer who tried to kill you."
"I killed her…"
"Her? Did you know her?"
"It was Maddy."
"No it wasn't. She's very clearly… Olivia Mendez, a Level 30 Synthmage."
"She looked like Maddy. When I killed her… she looked like Maddy."
"Ah, that. A Synthmage uses a Nexus Cube to collect information then they can use pheromones and magic to obfuscate their real identity."
"How did she know so much about Maddy?"
"Pheromones are useful for a lot of reasons, one of which is hiding a Synthmage's presence. She could've been following us for a while. If she was close enough the Nexus Cube can absorb memories. They're used by historians for recording information as well. Did she say anything else?"
"No. Wait, she said killing me was a job."
"Interesting."
"Why?"
"Just that, it's interesting. What's the Corvus 17?"
Corvus 17 - Multiverse communication device.
Allows for instant communication across the Multiverse. Requires B-Grade Credits to operate
"Coin operated."
"How would a level 30 be in touch with other Earths?"
"How are you able to discuss other Earths?"
"It appears to be due to the two Companion Skills you selected. Nexus Specialist and Multiverse Civilisation Knowledge."
"That's unexpectedly lenient of the System."
"Agreed. Now, will you be ok, Till?"
"No. I can remember slamming a spear through Maddy's chest. Feeling her flood flow over me. I know it wasn't Maddy, but I also feel like I killed her."
The AI was silent as it floated above Alex's head, observing her Companion as he hung his head.
"I'm sorry, Alex. The System provides Adventurers with the Abilities to be heroes, but with that is the power to be villainous. That young woman had the power to be a great comfort to others, but she chose evil. By the sounds of it someone helped her, that to me is wat we should be wortied about."
Alex nodded and got looked around. Luckily the flames he had caused were starting to die out, the destruction on the other hand was immense. Buildings lay in ruins with burnt and burning bodies present everywhere.
"I did more damage than the Initiation."
"You also released a lot of Adventurers from Undeath."
Alex nodded and started jogging up the Strip.
"I'm really angry, and I'm teetering on the edge so we should run."
"Where?"
"To the STRAT, we should clear the casino while I feel like this."
"Is that safe?"
Alex didn't reply, he just withdrew his axe and sped up.
----------------------------------------
"Feel better?"
Alex surveyed the area around himself, Undead bodies littered the area and flames danced merrily on and around everything.
"Not at all."
The STRAT Hotel, Casino, Dungeon Tower
2000 Lost Vegas Boulevard S
Lost Vegas
"The Boulevard name has updated."
Faction Quest:
Clear Lost Vegas Boulevard South to Sunset Road
1129/2000 Undead Slain
"Odd. But hardly important. The Faction Quest is well over half done. What now?"
"Now?"
"Till, you've spent the last 43 minutes piling the dead Undead… Redead… the, oddly this is one term the Multiverse haven't come to an agreement on."
"What to call Undead that have been killed?"
"Exactly. Do you have a preference?"
"Redead has an amusing ring to it."
"Works for me. You have spent the last 43 minutes piling the Redead up, what's your plan?"
"To funnel the remaining Undead to me, kill the remaining thousand or so in the STRAT, complete the Dungeon Tower, save the dragon, kill the princess, get the information from the Broker."
"Save the… No."
"No?"
"I refuse to get sucked into one of your absurd discussions on dragons and princesses."
"Absurd?"
"It makes no sense, then you twist what you're saying until you make it sound logical."
"Sounds like good planning and logical strategy. You see, the princess-"
"No."
"But the dragon-"
"No."
"Fine. No time anyway. For Zargath the Betrayed!"
With that Alex swung his axe into the first charging Undead Gorilla."
"Zargath? Till… tell me you haven't named the imaginary dragon."
"Don't blame me if you don't know the plan."
"Till, there's no dragon."
"What do you call that then?"
Alex pointed to the roof of the tower then ducked under a large fleshy gorilla's fist.
Name: Zargath
Race: Dragon (Earth 51)
Class: n/a
Titles: The Betrayed
Level: 98
The professor didn't reply, instead looking like she'd frozen in place.
"Why am I imagining the professor standing at the front of our class in shock with her jaw on the floor?"
The AI pulsed once then started moving again.
"Zargath… my records on Earth 51… he was the original carrier of their strain of Undeath."
"Told you he was betrayed."
"He must've been transferred over with the rest of the Strip. Fascinating."
"Bet he's loving it. Poor bastard. Do you think we could save him?"
"Save him? Till, he's an ancient… ancient…-"
"Professor?"
"Yes. You-"
"We."
"We can save him."
"It'll be hard."
"It hasn't exactly been easy so… don't look at me like that."
"Like what?"
Alex swung three times, splitting open the fleshy cocoons encasing three Undead gorilla's, spilling their insides into the fire.
"Like… Like you're judging."
"It hasn't been easy?"
"Just because I've levelled quickly doesn't mean this has been a walk in the park."
The professor didn't reply straight away.
"I'll accept that. I forget that this is all new to you."
"This is new to everyone."
"You honestly have no idea? There are books and games with similar situations in them."
"People knew about the Multiverse?"
"No, well, unless… no. No. It's a coincidence. They aren't stories or games set on other Earths. No. Till, what if they are?"
Till paused, shrugged, then cut down more Undead, the chains from his Smouldering Embers starting to pull more enemies closer before answering.
"Doesn't bother me. Anyway, let's get ready. We've woken the locals."
Both AI and Adventurer watched as the pathway Alex had made with piled bodies swelled when a veritable flood of human and gorilla Undead surged towards them.
"Volcanic Fury, Volcanic Eruption."
The ground shook as it was torn apart, forcing magma up from the depths to flow forth as lava. Low level Undead Adventurers were turned into igneous statues, fleshy growths popped, spilling Corpse Juice and tentacles out to fizzle in the fire. Still the lava came, bodies fell, mouths open in soundless screams.
"I need a new song. This is a little intense for Adelle. Any ideas?"
"Well, there is a dragon…"
Alex took a step back then looked up at the giant beast. The two seemed to make eye contact.
"If this is to end in fire, then we should all burn together."
"Ed Sheeran? Have you even seen The Hobbit?"
"Nope, but I’ve listened to a lot of Sheeran and a few songs about fire."
"I don't know if that should make me sad, or confused."
Alex dove into the thick of the mass, flames rising above the Undead as lava flowed like waves crashing against a beach. He fought like a demon, then staggered as a blade tore across his right thigh, slicing deep into the muscle then dragging across his left thigh down to his knee. With a snarl the Fire Warrior clutched the Volcanic Axe tightly then jumped onto the back of a huge gorilla, gripped the cocoon and tore it away.
"Watch the flames climb high into the night. Calling out father, stand by and we will. Watch the flames burn auburn on the mountain side. And if we should die tonight then we should all die together. Raise a glass of wine for the last time."
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
Bodies fell around him, most were pillars of fire before his axe split them apart, others were swamped in lava, their flesh growths or cocoons popping as the heat boiled the Corpse Juice.
"Till, pull back."
Alex looked up at the AI with bared teeth, breathing hard, his wound was bleeding freely and other injuries blossomed over his face, hands and his legs. Each injury just made him move faster and fight harder.
"Flame Whirlwind!"
Alex's throat sounded like it was being torn from his body as he screamed out the Ability name, then the flames and lava were whipped into the whirlwind, spreading the carnage all around him. Bodies continued to fall, made all the worse as the single minded Undead had no fear, they threw themselves into the volcanic meat grinder.
Alex and the remaining Undead stood on a pile of bodies, the flames continued to cook the flesh of the twice dead until their bodies started the break down the the building caught fire, rapidly spreading through the hotel and casino until the building, save for the entrance to the Dungeon Tower, was a raging inferno.
Then a Tome flew down and stopped in front of the Fire Warrior.
"Alex! Stop!"
Alex did as he was told, quickly realising he was mid swing into nothing. All the Undead were dead and their bodies, as well as the huge building, were burning. The building had started to collapse around him.
"Shit. Bad?"
"Bad? They've been dead for a while, you were swinging at nothing."
"Yea, that's bad."
"You're back?"
"I'm ba-"
The building collapsed around him, Alex instinctively stepped backwards, unintentionally moving out of his fire into the entrance to the Dungeon Tower.
Enter Lost Vegas Dungeon Tower?
Yes/No
Alex was about to accept the offer to escape the inferno, then he realised the building hadn't come down due to the fire, well, not completely due to the fire. As the dust, concrete and other detritus settled Alex noticed a huge shape.
"Zargath…"
"Till, go! You can't fight a dragon."
"I don't think he wants to fight. Look, he isn't completely Turned."
The professor drifted closer to the huge dragon, up close Zargath truly was a fearse sight. Huge blue scales were marred by black and green wounds. It looked like the dragon had attempted to tear parts of himself away but the necrotic flesh couldn't completely be cleansed.
The great beast leaned forward, arching his neck closer to Alex until its snout pushed against the Adventurer. Alex was pushed back as the head that was easily the size of a bus pushed against him.
"How can we help?"
"The lava and your Fire… burn away the taint. Maybe…"
Alex nodded then knelt beside the fissures in the earth and called forth multiple eruptions. His body quaked with the power he was exerting. Zargath was bathed in the lava and flame, all of the fleshy growths, necrotic flesh and visible tentacles bubbled and the dragon opened its maw in a soundless scream.
The Alex heard him, Zargath the Betrayed, the scream from deep in his throat gained volume and seemed to take on a tangible essence.
Adventurer and dragon collapsed away from each other. Alex causing no damage, Zargath brought the last of the hotel and casino down around them. The combination of the large dragon's bulk and the entrance to the Dungeon Tower keeping all large pieces of collapsing building away from his prone body.
"Prof-" Alex had to clear his throat, spitting off to the side of his prone form left more dust and blood than spittle. With a groan he levered himself up and looked around. "Professor?"
"I'm here Till."
The flying Tome drifted closer, the dim glow it gave off seemed to light up the dust particles in the air causing the Tome to leave a glowing trail of dust particles in its wake.
"Did we destroy the whole building?"
"Yes."
"Is the fire out?"
The Tome pulsed and released a widening ring of dull azure light.
"Yes, the fire is out and all lava is hardening into igneous spurs."
Alex collapsed to the uncomfortable ground in relief.
"Good. I'm just going to lie here… for a while… and rest."
Alex's voice came out of the dust cloud he'd released.
"What about Zargath?"
Alex's eyes sprung open and he chambered to his feet then staggered through the smoking, concrete dust filled environment until he walked into a huge bloody blue wall.
"You found the dragon."
Alex carefully made his way around the trembling hulk until he found the great head. Zargath had collapsed in a way that exposed his raw body to as little contact as possible, the laboured breathing from what had to be a set of truly gigantic lungs provided a terrible soundtrack to the creature's suffering.
"Can I help him?"
"You have two options… kill him, which, and I'll be honest, you'll struggle to do even while he's in this condition. Or, use your Rejuvenation Elixir. Probably more than one. If you could merge two, that would help."
"Merge them?"
"You should be able to merge two Elixirs of the same type. As they're of a high quality you could use the power imbued into S-Grade Credits to power a merge which should increase the level requirement and their healing efficacy."
"Efficacy you say, going for extra credit professor?"
"I have to maintain a shred of pride in this new reality."
Alex withdrew two Rejuvenation Elixirs and paused.
"How many Credits?"
"Honestly? No idea. This isn't something I have a lot of information on. Go with ten, you can always add more if needed."
Nodding Alex withdrew the suggested Credits, marvelling as the small crystalline coins appeared in his hand.
"They're warm…"
"Oddly A, B and C grade Credits are just currency, S-Grade however are congealed mana or power, depending on how you look at it."
"Amazing."
"Till… The suffering dragon?"
"Right. Sorry. How do you suggest…?"
"Your guess, in this particular instance, is as good as mine. Try anything."
Nodding Alex sat against a portion of collapsed wall and held the two Elixirs close to each other for a minute. When nothing happened he sighed then tried holding the little flasks in one hand which resulted in no change. With a sigh he leaned back and accidentally accidentally clinked the flasks together. Nothing 'Systemy' happened but the liquid in both flasks seemed to light up when it splashed against the stopper at the top.
"Surely not…"
Removing the stoppers Alex held the flasks close together and watched as a silvery vapour emerged from both Elixirs and coiled together.
Merge 2x Rejuvenation Elixir?
Yes/No
Alex mentally selected 'Yes', then held the ten S-Grade Credits to the flasks.
Enhance Merging with 10x S-Grade Credits?
Yes/No
Again Alex selected 'Yes', then held the glass-like material that the flasks were made of rippled then flowed together, forming one larger flasks and absorbed the Credits.
Volcanic, Draconian and Necrotic Essences Detected, Absorb Essences?
Volcanic
Yes/No
Draconian
Yes/No
Necrotic
Yes/No
Alex selected 'Yes' on his and Zargath's Essences but hastily chose 'No' when it came to any Necrotic taint.
Merging
Merging
Merging
Merging Complete
New Elixir Created
62150 Experience Gained
Ancient Draconian Rejuvenation Elixir (No Level Requirement)
Fully restore all health
Heal any injury, including missing limbs
Imbue with Volcanic Resonance
Increase level to next threshold
Cool Down: 1 Year (Multiverse Year)
"One year?"
"Till, I think ten Credits might’ve been too many. That… it… the Elixir you just created. The Experience alone, even with the Limiter in place. It could kill Zargath."
"Will he die without it?"
"He's too weak to heal, he may survive but he'll live in constant paint until he learns to deal with it or…"
"I can't let him live with the kind of pain that makes you consider ending it."
"Till…"
"No, I know what that's like."
"Till…"
With that Alex struggled to his feet, shuffled over to Zargath's partially open maw and without any hesitation poured the Elixir in.
Nothing happened
"Professor?"
"Till, it’s been less than a minute. Zargath is, this may have slipped your notice, quite large."
"Don't mass shame him."
"Mass shame… that isn't a thing."
"Hes a dragon, he's going to be bigger than a Tome. Don't be jealous."
"I'm not… I refuse to argue about this."
Alex started laughing at his Companion's indignant tone then fell over backwards as Zargath rose up and roared. The volume and force of the roar blew all the concrete dust and debris away leaving the Adventurer and dragon in a clear ring of destroyed building and cooled lava.
"Till?"
"I'll be ok, he just took me by surprise."
Looking up Alex watched as the blue dragon that had previously resembled blue, scaley hamburger meat shimmered with a ruby heat haze and started to-
"Is he growing?"
"This must be a combination of the Volcanic Resonance and the level increase. Fascinating."
Name: Zargath
Race: Dragon (Earth 51)
Class: n/a
Titles: Reborn, Resonant, Ancient, Cleansed
Level: 101
"Wow."
"I have to agree."
>Adventurer<
"Zargath?"
>Indeed<
"How are you… speaking without speaking?"
>My species possess the ability to communicate with other races through telepathy. We only speak with our own race<
"Are there a lot of dragons on Earth 51?"
>I was the last. An Adventurer, someone we trusted, murdered all of my kind, betrayed us. I was, I am, the last. The others, their spirits had passed into Salamarna, the land of our ancestors, by the time I was transferred to your Earth. Their bodies were corrupted like what was attempted on me, those still exist, theyre still forced to turn Adventurers and beasts alike<
"I'm sorry. I wish i could help. Something, someone that powerful, they're far beyond anything I'm capable of."
>Morris is indeed a formidable foe. It was his perverse magic that created this soulless affliction, which in turn sparked the Undead on my Earth<
"Morris?"
>Indeed. A powerful Necrologist from Earth 51. Are you familiar with him?<
"No. I was just surprised by his name."
>Understandable<
"How are you feeling? That Elixir was powerful."
Zargath released an impressive roar then settled himself. The igneous rock below him appearing to flow and contort until he was in a comfortable position.
>I have not felt this formidable since my last pilgrimage to the Shrine of Ralgonax, my Goddess. This power… I must meditate on what it changes. My power was a gift from Ralgonax, the Draconian Goddess of Water. Now, my power is a weave of water and lava. There is no deity from my Earth that holds dominion over that particular confluence. This power though…<
Zargath twisted to look down his flank, staring intently at the large blue scales that now seemed to be filled with a roiling maelstrom of fire.
"Yeah… about that. It’s an unexpected result of my Essence being incorporated into the Elixir… and probably the ten S-Grade Credits that powered the merge."
For the first time Zargath looked truly thrown by events.
>Ten S-Grade Credits? The power… that explains the miraculous recovery and the Level threshold. You truly are an agent of the Draconium<
"The Draconium?"
>The Dragon Pantheon? Surely you're familiar with it?<
Alex looked blankly at the dragon then at the professor.
"Well, this is awkward."
Zargath shifted slightly bringing a massive eye close to Alex.
>You released me from my curse, for no gain and due to no obligation to a higher power?<
Alex just shrugged.
"Seemed like the thing to do. You always save the dragon,"
Zargath released a snort which pushed Alex back slightly.
>On my Earth the opposite is true<
"Sounds like you should stay here, Earth 51 doesn't sound that great."
Zargath snorted again.
>One of Morris' allies controls the Dungeon. You should kill him and bring me his body<
"Dark, I approve. Would you like to join our-"
"Till, you can't invite a dragon to the Faction."
"Why not, he's a good bloke."
"Still… dragons are dangerous."
Alex just laughed then waved a hand placatingly at his Companion.
"Sorry, sorry. It's just, we're all dangerous now. Anyway, Zargath, did you want to join our Faction? You could… I don't know, control this section of the Strip, clear out some Undead and… what do dragons like do?"
>I've never been part of a human Faction. I will. As to your other question, dragons are creatures of purity and contemplation. We spend time in communion with our God or Goddess, performing acts of service or devotion and spreading the good word<
"The good word…?"
>The Blessings of the Draconium<
Alex nodded slowly.
"Of course."
Zargath had joined The Clark County Resistance
Faction Leader: (Captain) Theodore Valian
Faction Rank: B
Faction Headquarters: Station House 2
Members: 23 Humans, 1 Dragon
"Welcome aboard."
>Who is this Theodore Valian?<
"The Captain. Before the System he was my… Captain. Do dragons have jobs?"
>Jobs? Occupations. No. Our work is service to our deity<
"Right. The whole Good Word thing. The Captain was, is, the leader of my… group."
>He is the Priest of your church?<
"Ah, sure."
"Till…"
"It'll be fine."
"Till, just be honest."
"This is easier."
>I would like to meet your leader. Perhaps I may be of service while I reside on your Earth<
"The Captain would like that. Just… don't mention the Priest part, he prefers Captain. Oh, he also hasn't met a dragon before. And, don't break his building, we're fond of it."
>Understood Acolyte Till<
"Yea, I'm not a huge fan of that-"
Title Gained: Acolyte
"Damn it, really?"
"That's what you get."
"You know how to get to the Faction Headquarters?"
>The location is on my map Acolyte<
Alex sighed.
"Right, well, I'm going to finish this Multiverse Dungeon. See you again Zargath."
>Thank you Acolyte Alex Till. You service will never be forgotten. May we slay Morris together. For the Will of the Draconium<
"Yeah!"
>Farewell Acolyte Till<
With that Zargath arched his great neck and breathed over Alex before launching himself high into the air above the Strip.
"That was od-"
Buff: Will of an Ancient
Constitution Increased by 30
Damage against Morris, Necrologist of Earth 51 and Allies of Morris increased by 20%. For the Will of the Draconium!
"Nice, a Buff! I told you, always save the dragon."
"Even when they turn out to be the dragon version of Jehovah-"
"Don't." Alex looked around to make sure they were alone. "We should be safe, this place doesn't have a door anymore. Still, be careful."
Alex turned to look at the entrance to the Dungeon Tower, then looked down at Zargath's igneous nest then walked forwards.
Enter Lost Vegas Dungeon Tower?
Yes/No
"Yes."
As the world dissolved around him he noticed a flashing message on his HUD.
Faction Quest:
Clear Lost Vegas Boulevard South to Sunset Road
2000*/2000 Undead Slain
Faction Quest Completed
Turn control of the Strip over to Faction - Clark County Resistance?
Yes/No Error You are in an Instance, control of the area cannot be changed until you leave the Instance
Dungeon Tower - Entered
Welcome to the Necropolis